GRADE 9 FINAL DRAMA EXAM STUDY GUIDE

Transcription

1 GRADE 9 FINAL DRAMA EXAM STUDY GUIDE CRITERION A Memorize: Definitions of: theatre, genre, the main genres (types): tragedy & comedy, Thespian Translation of term drama from Greek language Drama Definitions: 1) Define drama as a process 2) Dictionary definition of Drama: Drama is the present imitation of human relationships in crisis. "present" = here and now, in the form of dialogue, not description; "imitation" = representation, not reality with imaginative connection to reality; "in crisis = issues between characters, major and minor crises which change situations in a play, because human relationships are unstable. "human relationships" = binary (dual) relationship is the focus of the action Memorize all 6 types binary relationships Memorize the following information about one character from each group (about one character from the Masters, one from the Servants and one from the Aristocrats) 1. Characteristics: Origin of this character in Commedia Dell'Arte (Where does this character come from? Any prototype/model?) Physical Appearance Stance / Walk / Movements / Gestures / Voice Costume and Mask (or makeup) Motives / Interests in life Animal to compare with Driving Force Relationships with other characters in Commedia Understand and be able to recognize the following definitions: Comedy, tragedy, melodrama, tragicomedy, monologue, dialogue, props, setting, scenery, director, actor, cast of characters, acts, scene, script, plot Definitions of: Commedia Dell arte Lazzi (lazzo) Slapstick Characteristics (special features) of Commedia Dell Arte 3 groups of stock characters in Commedia Dell Arte: Name the three groups Name all the characters which belong to each of these three groups Position all the characters in Commedia diagram

2 Directing and producing Students Adaptation of Matilda Genre of the play (justify the answer with supporting evidences of the genre) Brief summary of the play (characters and their objectives (goals), conflicts, main events) Production team members and their responsibilities (main cast performers, supporting characters, technical team) Technical elements used in the production (type of sound and light equipment, special effects) with examples of where they were used and for which purpose Design elements that were used on stage (stage set design and decorations, give examples of what stage set objects were used and how the set design was transformed from one scene to another) Main characters in the musical production and their traits Plot diagram of the play (conflicts and main events: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action and resolution) Create a Character Profile for one of the main characters, including the following information: Character s name and age Physical description Occupation Family background Describe his/her personality / traits List characters main activities (appearances in the play and actions) Describe his/her motives/goals AND fears Relationships with other characters (enemies and friends) What makes this character different from others? Character s catch phrase (the line that he/she says in the play which characterizes his/her personality)

3 CRITERION D Responding questions: 1. Create Lazzi with detailed description of the actions for one character from each group (for one character from the Masters, one from the Servants and one from the Aristocrats) 2. Matilda stage musical production STORYBOARD with TWISTED ENDING (start the storyboard as original stage production and change it with creative twisted ending)

4 GRADE 9 FINAL DRAMA EXAM REVISION MEMORIZE Theatre is a building or outdoor area in which plays and other play are given by actors to an audience Genre is a category (type) of a play with a specific style, form, or content The main genres (types): Tragedy & Comedy From Greek drama is translated as: "deed; to do (action, to act) Drama as a process: Drama is a whole process of creating and performing a play by actors in front of audience in present time. Drama (dictionary definition): Drama is the present imitation of human relationships in crisis. "present" = here and now, in the form of dialogue, not description; "imitation" = representation, not reality with imaginative connection to reality; "in crisis = issues between characters, major and minor crises which change situations in a play, because human relationships are unstable. "human relationships" = binary (dual) relationship is the focus of the action Binary relationships exist: between character and character(s) between a character and his inner self - internal debate (example: to be or not to be?, Shakespeare, Hamlet) between character and a prop (example: "is this a dagger I see before me?", Shakespeare, Macbeth) between a character and the setting (example: "so foul and fair a day I have not seen., Shakespeare, Macbeth) between character and the audience (the audience is treated as "community"). between character and recorded self/selves at earlier ages; (example: in Samuel Beckett's Krapp's Last Tape, a single character play) Thespian is another way to call the actor, that is called after the first known solo actor Thespian.

5 UNDERSTAND & BE ABLE TO RECOGNIZE Comedy a dramatic work that is light and intentionally humorous or satirical in tone and that usually contains a happy resolution of the thematic conflict. Tragedy - a play dealing with tragic events and having an unhappy ending, especially one concerning the downfall of the main character Melodrama - is a dramatic work that exaggerates plot and characters, making the story more emotional, often with strongly stereotyped characters, also with music, played underneath or between delivered lines and where good always wins the evil. Tragicomedy - a play or novel containing elements of both comedy and tragedy. Monologue - a long speech by one actor in a play, most often to express their mental thoughts aloud or to directly address another character or the audience. Dialogue - a conversation between two or more characters Props (properties) a portable objects used on the set of a play Setting - the place or type of surroundings where something is positioned or where an event takes place. Scenery - the painted background used to represent natural features or other surroundings on a theatre stage. Director is a person in charge of the production who leads, oversees and coordinates the whole process and who collaborates with all members of a theatrical team in order to ensure the quality and completeness of theatre production. Actor (from Latin do, doer ) a person whose profession is acting on stage, in movies or on television; a person who participates by acting in a play Cast of Characters the actors in a play; the team of actors who collaborate with one another as one theatrical body in order to create one theatrical work (performance) Acts major divisions of drama which forms the basic structure of a performance. Scene - is a subdivision or a part of an act of a play with a fixed setting and continuous time. Script - the written text of a play, movie, or broadcast (the text) containing dialogues and explanations (instructions) for director and actors. Plot - the main events of a play in organized sequence (i.e. what happens in a story)

6 MEMORIZE Commedia dell arte translates as comedy of skills. It is an improvisational style of theatre which began in sixteenth-century Italy and flourished in Europe for 200 years. Characteristics (special features) of Commedia Dell Arte: AD Italian comedy theatre troupes that travelled across the country Male & female on stage No specific script Improvisation Status relationships Stock (stereotyped) characters Exaggerated emotions Exaggerated body movements Specific language Use of masks Use of Lazzi by each character No setting (only painted backdrop) Use of many props (from slapstick to animals) Performed everywhere - from market places to palaces Lazzi (singular: lazzo) were jokes a comic bits or gags. Each character had his or her own typical lazzi; a good commedia performer would have dozens of lazzi that they could draw on in any situation. Slapstick is a kind of wooden sword with a round tip., which does a strong sound when it hits; usually owned by Zanni, the servant. 3 groups of characters in Commedia Dell Arte: The Aristocrats The Masters (middle class) The Servants

7 Stock Characters: The Aristocrats Magnifico 1 st Actor & 1 st Actress Witch Inamorato & Inamorata (the young lovers) The Masters (middle class) Pantalone Il Dottore The Servants Il Capitano Columbina Briguella Harlequino Zanni Commedia Dell Arte characters diagram Magnifico 1 st actor 1 st actress Male lover Inamorato Pantelone Female servant Columbina Brighella Witch Female lover Inamorata Doctor (Dottore) Harlequin Captain Zanni

8 Memorize the following information about one character from each group (about one character from the Masters, one from the Servants and one from the Aristocrats) 2. Characteristics: a) Origin of this character in Commedia Dell'Arte (Where does this character come from? Any prototype/model?) b) Physical Appearance c) Stance / Walk / Movements / Gestures / Voice d) Costume and Mask (or makeup) e) Motives / Interests in life f) Animal to compare with g) Driving Force h) Relationships with other characters in Commedia 3. Lazzi with detailed description of the actions for each character 1. Magnifico COMMEDIA CHARACTERS GROUP 1. ARISTOCRATS Il Magnifico (The Magnificent) was the figure of power. It means great, grand, generous However, in Commedia Magnifico is the exact opposite the greedy. Status: highest authority in the family C0stume: red & black as the devil, with large cloak Mask: black, looks like the night bird of prey Interests / impulses: money and women. Stance: straight, with authority Walk & Gestures: grand moves with power Movement: looks down on everyone Animal: Eagle Characteristics: - in charge of not only the economy and finances but also the destiny of the household and all who live there; - he decides whether or not to pay the servants (he generally inclines against it, not without good reason); - he decides where his son or daughter (the Lovers) will marry, when, and whom. - he sets in play the great drama of the Lovers, whose solution becomes material for the three traditional acts of the comedy.

9 2. The Young Lovers (Inamorati) Female Inamorata (most common name Isabella) Male Inamorato (most common name Flavio) Physical: young, attractive, latest fashion Stance: straight postures Walk / Movements: ballet/based on dance Gestures: extensive airy hands The Voice: overdramatic, as if reciting poetry Mask: No mask, but heavy make up Motives / Interests: love Animal to compare with: doves Driving force: hands and chest Other characteristics (description): - Can t solve own problems - Too dramatic in whatever emotion they express Relationships with other characters: - Hopelessly in love with one another - They are the children of Dottore and Pantalone - Their servants are Harlequin and Columbina 3. The Witch Physical: old and ugly Stance: bent back, knees to the sides Walk / Movements: : in figures of eight Gestures: extensive airy hands in figures of eight The Voice: Lots of scary expressions, laughs & loud voice Mask: Sometimes, her mask has long strands of silver hair streaking out of the top part of the mask or at the eyebrows. Motives / Interests: power Animal to compare with: octopus Driving force: hands Other characteristics (description): - She accesses the healing powers of the Earth as her power (her direct opposite is the knowledge crazy and logical, Dottore) - In a performance, she would be fortune telling, and brewing and selling potions. Relationships with other characters: Desperate women and men would plead for her help to get what they want. This method of victory was through magic and trickery.

10 GROUP 2. MASTERS 1. Pantalone Origins Venetian Merchant, Father of Inamorata (the female lover) Status Top of the order, Pantalone has money Costume Black jacket, red tights, yellow shoes, money bag on the waist belt Stance Old man s stoop (stomach in) Walk Small steps; knees to the sides Movement looking around, falls on back with bad news Driving force - nose Gesture active hands & feet Characteristic money is everything, very greedy Animal Chicken Repertoire Never well, news is always bad; everything can be bought 2. Dottore Origins Carnival figure Status Bachelor or widower; father of Inamorato (the male lover) Costume Black academic dress Stance Big belly; weight on heels Walk Small steps Movement Static Gesture Needs all the space for himself Characteristics: - Knows everything about everything - Annoyingly happy Animal Cow, Pig Repertoire I have a story about that..

11 GROUP 3. SERVANTS 1. Columbina Origins Zanni; servant Status: Maid to inamorata Costume / Mask: maids dress, sometimes in theme with Arlecchino s costume / either no mask, or cat-eye mask Motives / Interests: money, higher status & men Stance: One knee bent other extended Walk: Flick of foot zanni walk Gestures: on hips, good mimic Movements: fast and nimble The Voice: loud, but sounds smart Animal to compare with: Doe Driving force: hips Other characteristics: Only rational person, selfsufficient, non-negative Prop: basket Relationships: Loves Arlecchino and is friendly; bothered by other men; relationships with audience: with them, can see what fools the rest are. Repertoire: Outsmarts the masters at all times, looks after the household, flirts with all men; she can have academic degree on love, marriage and money; looks for the ways to get higher status (mostly through relationship with men) 2. Harlequin (Arlecchino) Origins Zanni; servant from the country. Means little devil. Status: Usually servant to Pantalone Costume / Mask: Peasant costume patches; mask with smashed type of nose (like monkey) Motives / Interests: food, entertainment and women Stance: Bent ready to jump, hands in belt Walk: Zanni walk, more ballet/3time step Gestures: Slow brain fast movement/hands Movements: Mask first, then body The Voice: loud; sounds stupid Animal to compare with: cat/monkey Driving force: hips Other characteristics: doesn't understand the logic, doesn't understand the difference between moral and immoral; never the loser; Prop: slapstick Relationships: In love with Columbina or Isabella; interacts with audience a lot lovable by audience Repertoire: Actions like falling down

12 3. Brighella Origins: First zanni brig means trouble Status: Base Zanni/ Head waiter Costume: White with green chord Mask: Green, old features (wrinkles) Motives / Interests: money and position Stance: first position ballet, chest forward Walk: Zanni torso side to side, head straight Movements: cat like panther Gestures: inviting hands, like maitre d (head waiter) or doorkeeper in the hotel The Voice: very annoying, like old man singing high pitch voice Animal to compare with: Lazy cat toying with mouse Driving force Other characteristics: smart, humorous, quick-witted, sarcastic Relationships with other characters: Deceitful will sell mother to make money / never a victim Repertoire: Always hungry, thinks he s cool; can sell his mother for the money or higher position Props: dagger, sometimes a waiter s towel 4. Capitano Origins: fake Spanish mercenary Status: A foreigner, the stranger, a loner; Pretends high status but loses it Costume: Military attire (sometimes Spanish flag color) Mask: red mask, long nose, very long mustaches Motives / Interests: to attract women, to show off and to get higher status in the society Stance: In attention or stand at ease Walk: Big steps maximum space Movements: Straight back, big strides Gestures: Extravagant and sustained The Voice: loud and brave (overdramatic) Animal to compare with: Peacock Driving force: knees and hands Other characteristics: - Political - if the Turks invade, he becomes a Turk; Total coward; Danger to himself; Thinks he is good looking and God s gift Relationships with other characters: Deceitful will sell mother to make money / never a victim Repertoire: I d crush you like an onion between my teeth Props: sward

13 5. Zanni Origins Peasant; Bottom of the pecking order.; eternally unfortunate worker. Status: Lowest servant who is always a loser Costume / Mask: Poor, baggy type of clothes; Mask: The longer Zanni's nose, the more stupid he is (like all other Commedia characters) Motives: driven by basic needs (eat, sleep etc.) Stance: bent back, knees to the sides, hands open wide Walk: Zanni walk: 2 times step & 3 times step Gestures: expressive hands Movements: urgent nervous actions, everything extremely exaggerated, head moves independently of body The Voice: loud, sounds the most stupid Animal to compare with: bird Driving force: nose & feet Other characteristics: Urgent actions, always nervous, hungry, talks a lot, moves his head constantly. The nose defines the rhythm of his body since it is the center of his actions. His movements are dynamic, exaggerated, his head constantly moving independently of body. He could be collapsing completely into a puddle with his feet splayed, bent forward at hips elbows slightly raised. Prop: Slapstick Relationships: In fight with the world to survive, ready to please anyone who gives him food Repertoire: always the looser, ready to eat anything including fly and his own shoe